Box making machine



Jan. 16, 1934. RQW

BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORfiederci F2 How My. ATTORNEY Jan. 16, 1934. F. R. ROW

BOX MAKING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 20. 1932 INVENTDHFiederz'cl? 72-Hour B5 WMU'Q' ATTY- Jan. 16, .1934. F. R. ROW

BOX MAKING. MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Mi m vk 9 PPMMZATTORNEY Jan. 16, 1934.- F. R. ROW

BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 FredericZ 1?.Hour BY Q31 Y Jan. 16, 1934.

Filed Feb. 20, 1932 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 mm 3w Now Na Ru h m M Q W .T. 7 WPQN\ (NM. M .Z w a W Pa mw mm 4 9w E E mm mw ox WW \W Qww wk hm. .ii .ilmm .0, l K SN E Q mm @M mm m 0k .1 E Q r .WM.$W|N

R 9 W ATTORNEY '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTEJR.

F. P. ROW

BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20,

Jan. 16, 1934.

Jan. 16, 1934. F. R. ROW

BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1932 7 SheetsSheet 7 DON WON

' ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 16, 1934 BOX MAKING moms Frederick R. Row,Toronto, Ontario, Canada Application February 20, 1932. Serial No.594,257

37 Claims.

This invention relates to methods and machines for making and drivingstaples and assembling blanks for'boxes, crates and other containers,and more particularly to machines for stapling binding wire to movingcontainer parts, though it is noted that in some of the claims theinvention is not limited to work on container parts nor in some respectseven to stapling.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved machine of thiskind in which the stapling mechanism moves along with the containerparts during stapling.

Another object of the invention is to'provide an apparatus of this kindin which the stapling mechanism is fluid pressure actuated, and theactuating means is set in operation independently of the conveying meansfor conveying the container parts.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an improved adjustableframe for an apparatus or device of this kind, for making'containers ofdifferent sizes, and an improved staple forming and drive mechanism.

Other objects of the invention are to improve generally the simplicityand efiiciency of such methods and machines and to provide a machine ofthis kind which is economical, durable and reliable in operation, andeconomical to manufacture.

Still other objects of the invention will appear as the descriptionproceeds; and while herein details of the invention are described andclaimed, the invention is not limited to these, since many and variouschanges may be made without departing from the scope of the invention asclaimed in the broader claims.

The inventive features for the accomplishment of these and other objectsare shown herein in connection with an improved container-blank makingmachine which, briefly stated, includes suitable drive means drivingspaced parallel conveyor chains carrying adjustable positioning meansfor positioning container parts on the chains and moving them beneath aswinging cradle bar adjustably carrying stapling units.

Each unit comprises a valve-controlled cylinder, a piston, and pistonoperated hammer drive rod adapted when the valve is actuated to actuatea staple forming mechanism disposed in a casing secured to the cylinderand having a vertical bore receiving said hammer rod. Means are providedfor guiding binding wire under the casing. and for feeding a length ofstapling wire across said bore on each tip-stroke of the drive rod.

The cut off and staple forming means in said bore is connected to saiddrive rod and adapted to cut off wire and to form the cut oil piece intoa staple on the down-stroke of the drive rod;

Fig. 1 is a fragmental side elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the machine, with parts broken away, toshow the stapling mechanisms, the chain also being omitted to show thesprockets more clearly.

Fig. 3 is a plan of the machine as in Fig. 1 with certain parts omitted.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the speed changing gearmechanism.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, partly in section substantially in the planeof the line 5--5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a sectional viewtaken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3, showing thechain guides or tracks and means for adjusting the frame side members tosuit different width boxes.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged iragmental sectional view showing a part of aconveyor chain and guides therefor.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the chain links showingadjustable positioning blocks for the box cleats and the adjustablespacer fingers for parts'of the box sides.

Figs. 9 and 10 are side views of cam wheels for controlling the staplingof various types of containers.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the piston head of the stapling unit.

Fig. 12 is a fragmental elevation, on an enlarged scale of the lowerpart of the stapling unit showing the wire feed.

Fig. 13 is a bottom end view of the stapling unit part as in Fig. 12.

Figs. 14 and 15 are vertical axial sectional views taken on the line14-14 of Fig. 12, showing the staple forming and drive mechanism beforeand after driving a staple respectively.

Fig. 16- is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, showing the staplehammer.

Fig. 1? is a fragmentary perspective view of the staple forming tubularwire-cut-ofi bolt member.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 18-18 of Fig. 14,showing the lower portion of the tubular bolt member, and shows saidmember in the act of forming the loop of a staple.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged sectional view of part of a box showing thestaples driven into the wood and holding the binding wire bound to thewood.

Figs. 20 and 21 are views showing stapled crate and box members,respectively, dotted lines showing the spacing blocks of the chain intheir respective positions.

Fig. 22 is an elevation of the wire cut-01f mechanism.

Fig. 23 is a diagrammatic view of the wire cutoif mechanism showing thecutting mechanism about to cut the wire between two boxes.

Fig. 24 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of the cradle bracket forholding the stapling mechanism, the broken lines indicating two rockingpositions.

The machine as a whole The various mechanisms of the machine and theirfunctions will first be very briefly indicated, after which they will bedescribed in detail.

Spaced conveyor chains 35 carrying positioning means (Fig. 8) forcontainer blanks (Figs. 8, 19, 20, 21) are adjustably supported ontrackways 45 (Figs. 3 and 17) and sprockets 30, 31, 32, 33 carried ondrive and idler shafts 15, 22. Means 21, 24, 27 are provided foradjusting the idler shaft 22 toward or from the drive shaft, and thereare means 46, 47, 50 for adjusting the distance between the tracks andsprockets and the chains carried thereby. A cradle 86, 87 (Fig. 2)comprising a transverse bar 86 hanging over the chains carries staplingunits adjustable on the bar, for different kinds of containers to bestapled, each stapling unit comprising a cylinder 92 (Fig. 11), pistonoperated hammer drive rod 172 and a valve controlling the piston foroperating the hammer rod.

A casing 121 (Fig. 14) secured to and below the cylinder is providedwith a vertical bore 125, a grooved roller 139 (Fig. 5) for'guidingbinding wire under bore, and a guide block 140 (Fig. 13) in the lowerpart of said casing, having a cutting face 141 is provided with aperforation 142 adapted to guide staple wire 143 across said bore andabove the binding wire. The staple wire is fed by feeding means 149 to164 (Fig. 12) once on each drive-rod up-stroke. A collar 173 (Fig. 14)on the drive rod supports an interiorly shouldered tubular bolt member176 slidable in said bore having a cutting face 186 (Fi 17).

A latch 180, 181 on said bolt member engages under said collar, wherebywhen the piston descends, the bolt member is driven down to cause saidfaces 141, 186 to engage each other, to cut off wire, the bolt memberforming the cut off wire, into a staple, over a forming member 188 (Fig.14) in the lower part of the casing.

A cam face 183 (Fig. 15) releases the latch from the collar after themember has formed the staple, and another cam face 197 withdraws theforming member 188 after the staple is formed, to allow a hammer 206 onsaid drive rod to drive the staple, after the collar 173 has been Vreleased.

The means for operating the valves include an arm 216 (Fig. 4) connectedby operating means 113, 115, 116 (Fig. 11) to the valve rods 111 andengaged by adjustable cam blocks 219 (Fig. 4) on a cam wheel 218rotatable from said drive shaft 15 by means of a suitable change speedmechanism 223 to 233 for adjusting for (Figs. 20 and 21) different sizesand kinds of container blanks.

Means (Fig. 22) including cutting knives 250. 255 are operated by a pin244 (Fig. 4) on the cam wheel for cutting the binding wire 63 be- I Myimproved machine for stapling wire to box sections comprises a pair offorward side frames 10, 11, (Figs. 1 and 3), and a pair of rear sideframes 12, 13 adapted to be secured to atbase or floor, and held inspaced relation by suitable shouldered tie bolts 42, 43.

The rear side frames are provided with bosses 14 adapted to receive atransverse conveyor-drive shaft 15 having its ends extending a distancebeyond the outer side frames and carrying a changespeed step-gear cone16 at one end and a drive pulley 17 at the other, the mid portion of thesaid shaft being provided with a keyway 18 adapted to be engaged by akey later to be described.

The idler shaft adjusting means It has been found necessary to keep thechain conveyor taut while in use and sometimes a few links have to bewithdrawn to suit the formation of certain size boxes or crates,therefore I have an adjusting means now to be described.

The forward frames 10, 11 are provided with inverted T-slot trackways 20at the upper edge on which slide axially alined bearing blocks 21 and 21carrying the idler shaft 22. A transverse actuating shaft 23 rotatablymounted in the frames at the forward ends of said trackways carries acrank 24 and sprockets 25 fast thereon. Sprockets 26 are also mounted atthe rear end of the trackways; and sprocket chains 2'7 disposed aroundsaid "sprockets adjacent to said tracks respectively have their endssecured to adjacent bearing blocks 21, whereby rotation of the crank 24adjusts the blocks in synchronism, thus adjusting the distance betweenthe shafts 15 and 22 as for tightening the chains.

The transverse drive shaft 15 and the adjustable idler shaft 22respectively carry flanged conveyor sprockets 30, 31, 32, 33. Thesprockets 30. 32 are fast on the shaft, while the sprockets 31. 33 areslidably keyed to the key-ways 18. Each sprocket has long flat faces 35forming a hexagonal periphery receiving the box-part conveyor chains 36.

When it is necessary to tighten or otherwise adjust the conveyor chain,it is only necessary to turn the crank handle 24, causing the conveyorshaft bearing brackets 21 to slide in synchro-' nism to their adjustedpositions, while the pawl 37 (Fig. 1) and ratchet 38 hold the bearingbrackets 21 locked against retrograde move ment.

Width adjusting mechanism The means for adjusting distance between thechains adapts the machine for different sizes of containers.

Intermediate side frames 40, 41 (Figs. 3 and 6) respectively stationaryand transversely slidable on tie bolts 42, 43 are respectively alinedwith the fast and slidable drive sprockets and are provided withhorizontal upper edge trackways 45 (Fig. 7) slidably supportingintermediate parts of the upper course of the conveyor chains 35.

Transverse threaded rods 46, 47 rotatably received in and connectingopposite ends of said intermediate frames have threaded engagement withthe slidable frame 41, and are held against longitudinal movementtransverse to the stationary frame 40 by collars 48 (Fig. 6)

A handle crank 50 on one of the rods, and

sprockets 51 fast on said rods near the stationary frame and carrying anendless chain 52 (Fig. 1) connecting said rods, serve for adjusting theposition of the slidable frame 41. Spool-shaped hubs 54 fast on theslidable conveyor. sprockets 31, 33 have annular grooves therearoundrespectively receiving forked outer ends 55 of sprocket shift arms 56,carried fast on a sleeve 5'7 fast on the slidable frame 41 and slidingon tie rods 43, to hold the slidable sprocket and frame alined, whensaid crank 50 is rotated to shift them and the conveyor chains. v

When it is necessary to change the distance between said conveyor chainsto suit a different width box section, the adjustment may easily beaccomplished by turning the crank handle 50.

This handle, which has been explained, operates the screw rods 46, 4'7,causes the movable intermediate frame 41 to slide in or out as the needmay be: and in so sliding said frame carries the forked arms 56 whichengage the spoolshaped hubs 54 of the slidable sprockets, whichsprockets slide also, laterally shifting the conveyor chain to the newpositions.

Container part positioning means A suitable number of the links 60(Figs. 1 and 8) of the conveyor chains are with positioning means forpositioning box sides 61 (Fig. 21), or crate strips 62, (Fig. 20) andcleats 63 therein in proper position for stapling together.

Said positioning means comprises a longitudinal flange plate 65 (Fig. 8)secured to the inner vertical side face of the link, and formed with anupwardly projecting Web 66 and a, horizontal web 6'7 both provided withforwardly shouldered transverse locking teeth 68 on one wide face and alongitudinal groove 69 in the opposite face.

Top and side slide blocks '70, '71 are mounted on the respectiveflanges, each block having a deep transverse recess '72 and a deeplongitudinal recess or groove '73 communicating with the transverserecess 72 and receiving the flange 67 or 68, the groove or recess '73being provided with teeth, 74 (Fig. '7) conforming to and engaging thelocking teeth 68, whereby the block may be slipped laterally on to theweb.

Spring pressed latches 75 are intermediately fulorumed in the transverserecesses respectively, and each has an inturned hook end '76 adapted toengage in the adjacent groove to adjustably hold the block on the web.

An angle iron '77, '78 fixed along the conveyor track 45 has an innerweb 7'7 adjacent to the outer edge of the track, adapted to laterallyengage a cleat 63 resting longitudinally on the link against the forwardface of the upper block '70 between said angle iron and upper web 66.

An upright bar or finger secured on the lower block serves to engage theside edge of, and to position, crate strips or box sides lyingtransversely across the chains,-fiat on the cleats, whereby the box orcrate parts, when manually placed in position near the forward part ofthe machine, are carried by the chains toward the rear thereof and thestapling heads or units (Figs. 1 and 2).

stapling head cradle The stapling heads or units 85 are carried on atransverse bar 86 of a cradle bracket 86, 87

(Figs. 5 and 24) having upright arms 8''! pivoted on bushings 88' in theupper ends of uprights or side arms 8'7 on the rear side frames 12, 13.The lower portions of the said stapling mechanism are disposed asuitable distance above the conveyor chains, for accurate operation inthe stapling of wire to the box sections.

The cradle bar adjustably supports the several stapling heads, which areslidably attached to the bar, the bar being rectangular in cross sectionand held in recesses 88 (Figs. 5 and 11) in the rear portion of thestapling heads by clamp plates'89 bolted over the recesses and bar.

The stapling heads Any suitable number of stapling heads 85 (Figs. 2 and5) and associated wire cut-off mechanisms may be provided, three beingherein shown for the proper construction of boxes or crates as hereinillustrated, but more or fewer of these mechanisms could be used, ifneed be, for the construction of boxes of another type.

To adjust the stapling heads 85 to other positions for boxes ofdifferent widths it is only necessary to loosen the clamp plate bolts 90and slide the heads along the bar to any desired position and thentighten said bolts.

The stapling cylinder to 18) below the cylinder and operated by said rod94, and under which the box parts are carried by the conveyor chain andpositioning means. A slide valve on the side of each cylinder is attimes operated to admit pressure medium to the respective ends of thecylinder to cause downward driving thrust and return movement of thepiston rod.

Pressure andexhaust pipes 97, 98 (Fig. 2) disposed above said units-feed hose 99, 100 extending from said pipes respectively to the inletand exhaust ports 101, 102 (Fig. 11) of the various units of the valvechest 103. A valve 104 in and controlling the pressure pipe is operatedby a manual control rod 105 extending to the side of the machine.

Said inlet port 101 is threaded to receive the connection 106 pressurehose 99 and connects with pressure passages 10'7 communicating withopposite ends of the bore of the valve chest receiving the slide valve95. Said passage forms the inlet for the pressure medium into said bore.

A pair of ports 168 at opposite ends of said bore extend from the boreto the cylinder and form the cylinder ports for the pressure medium intothe pressure cylinder, adapted to feed the said pressure mediumalternately to opposite ends of the pressure cylinder.

The slide valve in said bore is formed with end heads 110, connected toa valve rod 111, said heads being adapted to control the passages 107,108 of the slide valve bore.

The valve chest is provided'with a packing 112 adapted to guide on theslide valve stem 111. The upper portion of the said stem is threaded andcarries a pair of adjustable ball nuts 113, between which is disposedthe outer perforated end of a lever arm 115 attached to a squared rockershaft 116 provided with rounded ends received in the bushings 88 (Fig.24). The ends of said arms 115 have perforations received on the saidvalve stem 111 between said nuts whereby the slide valve may be operatedfrom said shaft 116, as will be explained.

When the slide valve is moved to'its lowest position, the lower valvehead 110 cuts off the pressure supply from the lower cylinder port andallows the pressure medium to pass over the top of the slide valve andinto the upper cylinder port 108 thereby causing the pressure piston 93to drop and the pressure medium in the lower portion of the pressurecylinder will then exhaust through the lower cylinder port 108 andbetween the slide valve heads to the exhaust port 102.

After the slide valve has been lowered as above stated, so as to causethe piston 93 to move down, it is raised by the action of the spring 117(Fig. 11), whereupon the pressure medium which may be steam isintroduced through the lower passage 108 and the piston thereby raised,the upper end of the cylinder exhausting through the upper passage 108and the exhaust port 102.

The stapiing mechanism support Integral with and below the pressurecylinder 92 is a connecting housing 118 (Fig. 11), the lower end ofwhich carries the stapling mechanism. The connecting housing is somewhatin the form of a tube with an open side 119, leaving exposed certainparts of the pressure drive. The lower portion of the said tube isformed as a band 120 adapted to engage the upperportion of the casing orhousing 121 (Figs. 12 to 15) for the stapling mechanism. The upper partof the connecting housing comprises a partition 122 which forms thelower head of the cylinder and carries the packing box 123 receiving thepiston rod 94.

The stapling mechanism casing 121 is formed with a vertical bore 125(Figs. 13 and 14) alined with the piston rod and provided withdiametrically opposite front and rear vertical, interior, lower endguide slots or grooves 127, 128, and with exterior lateral flangeextensions 129, all in a plane transverse to the path of the chains.

The staple mechanism casing 121 (Fig. 13) is cylindrical in shape and isdivided along a diametric plane. as at 132 along its entire length inthe plane of said extensions to form a body portion 133 and a coverportion 134.

The body and cover portions are shaped to form a reduced diameter attheir upper end 135 which engages in said band 120 (Fig. 11) in thelower portion of the connecting housing. The body and cover portions areheld together by bolts in said flange extensions 129, 130.

Binding wire feeding mechanism It is necessary to feed the binding wire137 (Fig. 5) to the container parts from a suitable supply. Means forthis purpose comprise a rod 138 passing through the rear side frames 12,13 just above the chains and forward of the stapling mechanism, andgrooved guide rollers 139, adjuztable on said rod, whereby binding wire,stapled to the box parts, is guided under and against said rollers,while drawn by the movement of the conveyed box parts, the wire beingdrawn diametrically under the stapling mechanism to be thereby stapledto the box parts.

Staple wire feeding and cutting mechanism A guideblock 140 (Figs. 12 and13) mounted in the lower part of said casing transverse to the bindingwire 137 and in the plane of the guide slots 127, 128 is provided with avertical beveled inner end face 141 forming a cutting edge and with aperforation 142 adapted to receive and guide staple wire 143diametrically across said casing bore 125, in the plane of said guideslots 127, 128, from supply rolls 145 (Fig. 2).

One of the flange extensions 130 (Fig. 12) is extended considerablyfurther than the others and supports the wire feed mechanism as will beexplained.

A pair of intermeshed gears 147, 148 and a pair of peripherallyroughened and grooved feed wheels 149, 150 secured fast on said gearsrespectively are rotatably mounted stud shafts or bolts 151, 152 on saidflange, disposed one above the other.

The rods or pulleys 145 above the machine supply staple wire between thefeed wheels 149, 150 of the respective pairs, and thence to saidperforations 142. A ratchet 154 fast with the wheel 149 is engaged bypawl means operated by the upstroke of the piston rod for feeding alength of staple wire across said bore, as will now be described.

The piston rod 94 is provided with a collar 155- attached thereto andadapted to engage on its upward stroke an intermediate bump 156 on alever arm 157 pivoted to a lug 158 integral 00 with the wall of theconnecting housing. Said lever 157 which is raised by the collar 155 tooperate the staple wire feed mechanism, extends through a slot 160 inthe said wall and is pivoted to the upper end of a vertical link 161having its lower end pivoted to a ratchet arm 162 pivoted on the feedwheel stud shaft 151. I,

Said arm 162 carries a pawl 163 engagingthe teeth of the ratchet disk154. The spring 164 serves to lower the link and ratchet arm on the downstroke of the piston. A spring held detent pawl 163 engages the lowerface of ratchet disc 154 to prevent overthrow on the up-stroke. When thebump 161 on the arm 162 nears its lower limit of movement, it forces thedetent 115 pawl 163' from the disk 154, whereupon the pawl 163 mayrotate the disk until the long tooth face 154 is in position to beengaged by the detent pawl when the bump 162 leaves the detent pawl. Thedetent pawl then yieldably engages 12C the disk and may abut the nexttooth end-shoulder 154" when the pawl 163 completes its upward movement.

The smaller disk 150 and gear 148 are rotatably mounted on the stud 152of which the bearing 125 portion 165 is eccentric to its threadedportion 166 and formed integral with a lever handle 167. The lock nut168 engages a shoulder on the stud 152 and is sufficiently loose toallow the lever handle 167 to be drawn by the spring 167 in 132' thedirection indicated by the arrow X, to cause the eccentric bearingportion of the stud to yieldably carry the disk 150 closer to the largerdisk 151, thereby always to provide sufficient pressure on the wirebetween said disks to prevent the staple wire from slipping while beingfed to the sapling mechanism.

It has been found necessary at times to feed longer or shorter lengthsof wire to the said mechanism to form various length staples, thereforeI have made the bolt shaft 151 and ratchet wheel 154 removable so thatthe mechanism can be readily changed to feed wire to suit the desiredlength of staple.

Llf.

Staple forming and dividing mechanism The piston rod 94 (Fig. 11) isprovided with a lower end bore 170 provided with screw threads engagingthreads 171 provided on the upper end 1513 of the hammer drive rod 172,carrying a cylindrical collar 1'73 (Fig. 14) fast on its lower, end.

This collar slides in a vertical bore 175 o! a sleeve bolt member 176slidable in the casing bore and provided with lateral guide flanges177,178 (Fig. 13) engaging in said guide slots 127, 128. The bore isprovided with an upper end plug 178 (Fig. 14) forming a. shoulderengaging over said collar, whereby the bolt member is raised by thecollar when the piston 931s raised.

Said bolt member 176 has a vertical slot 1'79 in one side receiving aspring pressed latch 1&0, 181 intermediately pivoted ina cam in saidslotand having its lower end in acam slot 182 in the casing, and its upperend 181 normally engaging under said collar 173, whereby when the driverod 172 is lowered, the bolt member is lowered inthe casing until thelatch 180, 181 reachesthe lower end face 183 of the cam slot, wherebythe latch is cammed from engagement with the collar, allowing the collarand hammer drive rod to pass down to the position of Fig. 15. The guideflange 1721 (Figs. 13 and 17) is provided with a lug 185 having avertical beveled face 186 engaging when the beveled lace ltll of saidblock 140 to cut off, at a sharp angle, the staple wire led through theperforation 1.42, over a. forming member 198 (Figs. 14 and 18) normallyinwardly yicldably pressed diametrically lntosaid casing bo e just belowthe path oi iced oi the staple wire.

The forming member 128 comprises an inwardly spring pressed body memberslidable over a roller 189 rotatable on a pin 190 disposed across aradial guide opening 191 in the lower part of the casing. The formingmember is provided with a reduced forming portion 192 at the inner end,which portion projects into the bore 01 the bolt member through avertical slot 195 provided on both sides of a reduced portion 196, withtwo cam faces 19'? engageable with cam laces 199 on I the forming memberto retract the forming menu-- her.

it link 200 pivoted on a pin 201 mounted in the outer end of the formingmember, and on a pivot pin 202 mounted on the upper part or the casinghelps to guide the forming member; and the forming member is pressedyieldably inward by springs 203 tensioned between pins 201 and 190.

The hammer rod 172 (Fig. 14) is provided with a lower end bore adaptedto receive the shank 205 (Fig. 16) of a staple hammer 206, the shankbeing held in place by a set screw engaging in an. annular groove 208,giving the hammer freedom to turn for adjustment, but preventing thesaid hammer from becoming disengaged.

Staple forming and driving As the piston rod is raised to its upperposition, the wire feed means are caused to actuate the ratchet and feedwheels 149, 150 and feed a de sired length of staple wire through theperforation 142 in the guide block; and as the said pressure rod isforced down, it will cause the hammer 206 and bolt member 176, which areheld together as a unit by the said latch 180, 181, to be also pusheddown, forcing the said bolt member onto the staple wire, whereupon abeveled knife edge faces 141, 186 out off the wire at a sharp angle,thus forming points on the main and cut-off portions of the wire.

The cut-off piece will then be disposed across the forming member, andfurther movement of the bolt member bends the piece to the position asshown in Fig. 18, wherein the bolt member 176 is shown forcing the treeends 210 of the piece downward over the forming member 188, which thenprojects across the lower end or the bore 1'75. Downward movement ofsaid bolt member bends the cut-oi! piece of wire across the formingmember 188, carrying the ends 210 downward in the guide slots 213 of thebolt member to tom the staple in position to straddle the binding wire13! (Fig. 19) received in the diametric grooves 211 (Figs. 13 and 17)and be driven through the side or strip into the cleat. At this instantthe cam laces 197, 198 on the bolt and forming members engage and enactthe camming back or the formlng member.

A spring 211 compressed between the plug 178' and the collar 155, tendsto hold the bolt member 176 in its lowest position relative to the rod122, after the end of latch 180 engages the cam face 133. As stated theformer 192 is withdrawn, after the staple is formed.

Then the latch end 180 engages the end ram i'ace 183 and unlocks thedrive rod 172 from the bolt member, whereupon the bolt member, under theinfluence of the spring 211 moves down with the drive rod and collar1'72 until the bolt member strikes the container part and is arrested.Then the hammer 206 on the lower end of the drive rod moves down anddrives the staple.

The hammer head 206 (Fig. 16) is provided with longitudinal side ribs orguides 212 which engage in grooves 213 (Fig. 13) provided in the lowerportion of the bore oi the bolt member.

Adjustable bolsters When the staples are being driven, the ends or thebox sides or crate strips are supported by the chain link (Fig. 7) andtrachway. Additional means are necessary to support or bolster theintermediate parts of the container sides. 'l o this end there areprovided one or more anvils or bolsters 215 (Figs. 2 and 3) adlustablyslidably mounted on tie rods 42, 43 under the intermediate stapling unitor units 55, each anvil having its upper face disposed at a level toengage under the W box container part disposed under such inter mediateunits, to support such part as the staple is driven.

Valve operating means 1% The cam wheel A cam wheel 218 rotatably mountedon a rear frame member below the trip arm, is driven from. the driveshall: by an adjustable drive train, later to be described, whereby saidcam wheel is driven a predetermined number of complete revolutions everytime the conveyor chains makes a complete cycle.

Settable cam blocks 219 are secured or adapted to be secured on theperiphery of the cam wheel in positions to correspond with the staplelocations as determined by the strip or box side locations on theconveyor chain. These blocks in these positions engage said trip arm 216and actuate the slide valve and, therefore, the staple 159 forming anddriving mechanism to form and drive a staple at every required positionin the box or crate parts.

The change speed mechanism Said drive train includes a change speedmechanism comprising a fixed stub shaft 220 (Figs. 2 and 4) mounted onthe frame and carrying a sleeve 221 rotatable thereon and having a keyslot 222. A shiftable handle lever 223, 224 pivotally and slidablymounted on said sleeve, comprises a pair of spaced plates 223, 224, oneof them forming a shift handle 223, between which plates a shift gear225 is mounted near the outer end of the lever in position to beengageable with any of the step gears 226 of a step-gear cone 16 fast onthe main drive shaft 15.

A shift pinion 228 meshed with the shift gear 255 and slidably keyed tothe sleeve 221 causes the sleeve to rotate when the shift gear is meshedwith a step gear, the sleeve in turn rotating a drive gear 229 fast onthe sleeve driving a similar step gear cone 230 of a second change speedmechanism having a similar shift handle 231 and a drive sprocket 232connected by a sprocket chain 233 to a large sprocket 234 secured faston the cam wheel 218.

Said train is adjustable by shifting said handies 223, 231 to drive saidcam wheel at the proper speed in accordance with the nature and size ofthe work to be stapled and the number of containers to be stapled duringeach cycle of the conveyor-chains.

Binding wire cut 017 mechanism A cut-off mechanism is provided forcutting off the binding wire 137 after each set of box parts has beenstapled.

The wire cut-01f mechanism (Figs. 2, 5 and 22) is adapted to swing overthe box sections and to cut the binding which is stapled to thecontainer sections, at the proper intervals as in Figs. 19, 20 and 21,and thereby separates the proper number of sections to make onecontainer.

Said mechanism comprises a cross bar 238 (Fig. 22) swinging on an axisalong its upper edge, and carrying an actuating cylinder 239 mounted onsaid cross bar, longitudinal to the cross bar, near the cam wheel 218and provided with a piston, piston rod 240 and a slide valve having avalve stem 242 actuated by a lever 243 having one end pivoted to thecylinder, and having at the other end an inner cam face 244 engageablewith a pin 244' fast on the cam wheel in position to engage said face apredetermined interval after the stapling of one set of box parts iscomplete.

The cross bar 238 is provided with two ears 245 pivoted on extendedportions 246 (Fig. 5) of the rear side frames, thereby to form a rockeror swing. A slide bar 248 (Figs. 5 and 22), T- shaped in cross sectionand adapted to slide in a T-slot 249 of the swing bar 238, forms a slidebase for a set of reciprocatory cutting knives 250 adjustably held onthe base by means of T-bolts 251 having T-heads 252 adapted to engage ina smaller T-slot 253 in the said slide bar 248.

Normally stationary, adjustable knives 255 of angle shape, areadjustably mounted on the swing bar by means of T-bolts 256 which engagein T-slots 257 in the lower edge part of the said swing bar and form therelatively stationary knife members cooperating with the knives 250. Thecutting positions of the several knives may be changed to suit the widthor construction of different boxes merely by loosening the T-bolts 251and 256.

Said bar 243 is connected to and actuated by the piston rod 241 when thelever face 244 is engaged by the pin 244', thereby to cut off the boundwires some distance from the last preceeding box parts and the nextsucceeding box parts, to allow plenty of end wire for securing the freeends together.

Fig. 9 is a view showing the adjustable cam disk 218 having the blanks219 set for controlling the spacing and the number of staples to bedriven in eachcontainer, the disk being shown set for a box similar tothat shown in Fig. 21.

Fig. 10 is a view of a disk 218 with cam blocks set to form a crate asshown in Fig. 20.

The operation of the machine The operation of the machine will be easilyunderstood from the foregoing and need here be only briefly summarizedas follows:

The length of the claim is adjusted by'removing or adding links, so thatthe number of links is suitable for the possibilities of the cam wheelused and the number of container sets which are to be stapled duringeach cycle of the chain; and the crank handles 24 and (Fig. 1) arerotated to give the chains the proper tightness, and the proper distanceapart, for the containers to be made. The stapling units 85 (Fig. 2) andthe bolster 215 are adjusted, on the bar 86 and rods 42 and 43respectively in accordance with the desired location of the binding wire137 relative to the ends of the box parts.

The blocks and 71 are applied to the proper position and links to givethe container parts the desired position; and the cam blocks 219 (Fig.4) and the change speed mechanism are adjusted to cause the lever arm216 to 'be engaged and cause the forming and driving of the staple ateach required instant.

The binding wire 13'! is threaded under the roller 139 and initiallysuitably anchored or held until the first staple is driven.

The pulley 17 is uniformly driven, thus causing the cam 218 and thecontainer parts to move continuously and uniformly. The blocks 219 beingabout the actuation of the piston 93 (Fig. 11) at each proper instantfor driving the staple, and the up-stroke of the piston rod causesstaple wire to be fed for the next staple, whereupon the next downwardstroke of the piston rod causes 1'.

the cutting of the staple wire and the forming and driving of the stapleinto the moving container parts, as has been explained.

Just before the staple is driven, the bolt member 176 (Fig. 24) ispressed by the spring 211' against the moving container part and bindingwire, and is influenced to move from the axial position 85 toward theposition 85 Then the staple is driven.

As the staple is being driven, it has assumed g the shape shown in Fig.16; and the parallel portions thereof are guided by the grooves 213(Fig. 13); and while still thus guided, the staple is forced into themoving container parts, thus additionally pressing the unit from 'theposition 85' toward the position 85 against the action of the spring 260lightly compressed between the cradle arm 87 and an ear 261 on theupright 87'. After the staple has been driven and the bolt member 176raised, the parts resume their normal position with the arm 87 againstthe adjusting screw 262 carried in a tapped ear 283 on the upright.

A short time after each set of container parts has passed the units, thepin 244 on the cam wheel engages the cam face 244 (Fig. 22), and bringsabout the rightward movement of the knives 250, cutting off the bindingwires leaving enough free end wire'for securing the ends together.

The spring 211 yieldably presses the bolt member 176 against thecontainer part, thus automatically adjusting the bolt member to anythickness or number of thicknesses of box parts (Fig. 19), the hammerdriving the staple to the same degree of tightness in all cases.

While herein in claims which relate to conveying box parts, timing anddriving the hammer, and to other features not directly related to stapleforming, I mentionstapling units or mechanisms, it is understood thatthis is for the purpose of designating some driving part; and where theprior art permits claims are to be intersected broadly enough to coverdriving nails inbinding strips, and similar functions.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, means for positioning and conveying container parts;a stapling unit over the path of said parts and comprising avalvecontrolled, piston actuated means, and a staple driving mechanismactuated by the actuating means; and means for actuating said valve atpredetermined intervals for actuating the actuating means.

2. In combination, means for positioning and conveying container parts;a cradle swingable in the drection of the path of said parts; staplingunits adjustable on the cradle transverse to said path, drivingmechanism for driving staples in means carried by the unit for guidingthe staple while being driven; actuating means for the units, eachcomprising a cylinder,a piston therein, a piston rod for'actuating theunits, a valve controlling the piston, and a valve rod for the valve;means for operating said valve rod comprising a square rod passing oversaid stapling units coaxial with the pivot axis of the cradle; armsslidable on said rod pivotally engaging the valve rod; a pending triparm fast on an end of said square rod; and a cam movable with theconveyor for engaging and actuating the trip arm.

3. In combination, means for positioning and conveying container parts;a support movable in the direction of the travel of said parts; and astapling unit on the support, comprising an actuating means, and a fluiddriven staple driving mechanism for driving staples in said parts whenthe parts are moving.

4. In combination, means for positioning and conveying container parts;a cradle swingable in the direction of the path of said parts; andcomprising a lower transverse bar; stapling units adjustable on saidbar, each comprising an actu ating means, and a staple forming anddriving mechanism for driving staples in said parts when the parts aremoving; means driving said mechanism with a force radial to the axis ofswing of the cradle and means carried by the unit for guiding the staplewhile being driven.

5. In comb'nation, means for positioning and conveying container parts;a cradle swingable' ing staples in said parts when the parts are moving;a flexible hose supplying fluid to said mechanism; means carried by theunit for guiding the staple while being driven, whereby the cradle andunit is caused to move with the conveyed part during stapling; and aspring to restore the cradle.

6. In combination, spaced conveyor chains; means for positioningcontainer parts on the chains; a cradle comprising a transverse bar overthe chains; stapling units adjustable on the bar, each comprising avalve controlled cylinder, a piston, and piston-operated hammer driverod; means to operate said valves having an actuating arm; a caslngsecured to the cylinder and having a vertical bore receiving said hammerrod; means for guiding binding wire under the casing; means for feedingwire across said bore for each drive-rod up-stroke; cut off and stapleforming means in said bore and connected to said drive rod and adaptedto form the cut of! wire and form the cut-off wire into a staple on thedown-stroke of the drive-rod; a hammer on said drive rod to drive thestaplewhen formed; a cam wheel rotatable with said chains and comprisingadjustable blocks to engage said arm; and means operated by the camwheel for cutting the binding wire between sets of container parts.

'I. In combination, side frames; means thereon for conveying containerparts; uprights formed on the rear side frames; bushings on the upperends of said uprights; a cradle swung between the upper ends of theframe and comprising an intermediate horizontal bar and upright end armspivoted to said bushings; stapling units adjustably carried on the barand each comprising an upper cylinder having a piston and downwardly disposed piston rod therein, and a staple forming and driving mechanismbelow the cylinder operated by said rod, and under which the box partsare carried by the chain; a slide valve on the side of each cylindercommunicatng therewith and with a source of pressure, and having a valverod whereby the valve is at times operated to admit pressure medium tothe cylinder to cause downward driving thrust and return movement of thepiston rod; a shaft in said bushings operatively connected to the valverods; and means for automatically rocking said shaft.

8. In combination, side frames carrying means for positioning andconveying container parts; a stapling unit over the path of said partsand comprising an actuating means, and a staple driving mechanismactuated by the actuating means; means for adjusting the unittransversely to the path of said parts; a pair of tie rods at differentlevels connecting said frames: and a bolster under said parts, andadjustable on said tie rods to positionunder the different positions ofthe unit.

9. In combination, a vertically reciprocatory drive rod; a casing havinga vertical bore coaxial withsaid rod; means for guiding binding wireunder the casing; a guide in the lower part of said casing provided witha cutting face and the staple wire: a collar on the drive rod; a tubularbolt member in saidbore having a shoulder to engage over the collar anda face to engage said cutting face to cut off the wire; a latch on saidbolt member engaging under said collar, to drive down the member to formthe cut-off wire over the forming member into a staple; means to releasethe latch after the member has formed the staple; means withdrawing theforming member after the staple is formed; and a hammer onsaid rod todrive the staple, after the collar is released.

10. In combination, a casing having a bore; means to position astaple-wire across said bore; a forming member in said bore below thestaple wire; a bolt member in said bore having a cam face, and sideportions having inner guide grooves over said wire and bottom groovestransverse to the wire; means to' drive said bolt member to cause thebolt member to bend the wire over the forming member to form a stapleand position it in said grooves; and means carried by said formingmember and engaged by said cam face for withdrawing the forming memberafter the staple is formed.

11. In combination, actuating means including a reciprocatory drive rod;a casing secured to the actuating means and having a bore; means adaptedto position staple-wire across the bore; a forming member in said borebelow the staple wire; a collar on said rod; a tubular bolt member insaid bore having a bore receiving said collar and a shoulder over thecollar; a latch on the bolt member to engage under the collar tointerlock said bolt member and guide rod during the first part of itstravel, thereby to drive the member to cut off the wire and bend thecut-off wire over the forming member to form a staple and position it insaid grooves; and means for withdrawing the forming member and saidlatch after the staple is formed, and a hammer on said rod to drive thestaple.

12. In combination, staple forming means including a casing and areciprocatory part; a guide block mounted on said casing and providedwith a cutting edge, and a perforation adapted to guide staple wire tosaid forming means; a pair of intermeshed gears mounted on said casingand adjustable one toward the other; a pair of peripherally grooved feedwheels secured fast on said gears respectively; the feed-wheel groovesbeing adapted to grasp and feed staple wire to said perforations; aratchetfast with one of the gears; pawl means operated by thereciprocatory part for feeding a length of staple wire; said stapleforming means being provided with a cutting edge cooperating with saidend face to cut off lengths of staple wire; and over-throw preventingmeans released by the pawl means.

13. In combination, actuating means including a reciprocatory drive rod;a casing secured to the actuating means and having a bore; a guide blockmounted in the lower part of said casing and provided with a verticalbeveled inner end face and with a perforation adapted to receive andguide staple wire diametrically across said bore; a pair of intermeshedgears mounted on said casing; a pair of peripherally grooved feed wheelssecured fast on said gears respectively; the feedwheel grooves beingadapted to grasp and feed staple wire to said perforations; a ratchetfast with one of the gears; pawl means operated by the upstroke of thepiston rod for feeding a length of staple wire across said bore; andstaple forming and driving means carried by said rod and provided with acutting edge cooperating with said end face to cut of! lengths of staplewire; and over-throw preventing means engageable with said ratchet andreleased by the pawl means.

14. A container positioning means comprising a body adapted to bedisposed on a chain link and having longitudinal vertical and horizontalwebs, upper and lower slide blocks on said webs respectively, means toadjustably hold the blocks on the webs; and an upright bar higher thansaid web secured on the lower block for engaging the side edge of a partlying transverse to the chains flat on the cleats against said fixedweb.

15. A positioning means comprising a body having longitudinal verticaland horizontal webs, each having transverse locking teeth on one faceand a. longitudinal groove on the other face; upper and lower slideblocks on said webs respectively, each having a recess receiving theweb, one face of the recess having teeth to fit said transverse teeth,and means to adjustably hold the blocks on the webs comprising a pivotedmember engageable in the adjacent longitudinal groove.

16. In combination, conveyor chains; trackways supporting the chains; anumber of the chain links being provided with means for positioningcontainer cleats and parts thereon; said means comprising a bodydisposed against the link and having projecting longitudinal verticaland horizontal webs, upper and lower slide blocks on said websrespectively, means to adjustably hold the blocks on the webs; a fixedweb adjacent to the outer edge of the track positioned to engage a cleatresting on the link against the forward face of the upper block betweensaid fixed and upper web; and an upright bar secured on the lower blockfor engaging the front edge of a container part lying transverse to thechains flat on the cleats and against said fixed web.

17. In combination with a link of a conveyor chain link and a trackunder the chain, a positioning means comprising a longitudinal verticalflange plate secured to the inner side face of the link and comprisingan upwardly projecting web and a horizontal web both provided withforwardly shouldered transverse locking teeth on one wide face and alongitudinal groove in the opposite face; top and side slide blocks onsaid flanges, each block having a deep transverse recess and a deeplongitudinal groove communicating with the transverse recess andreceiving the flange and provided with teeth conforming to and engagingthe locking teeth whereby the block may be slipped laterally on to theweb; a spring pressed latch intermediately fulcrumed in the transverserecess and having an inturned hook end adapted to engage in said grooveto adjust.- ably hold the block on the web; an angle iron fixed alongthe conveyor track with an inner web adjacent to the outer edge of thetrack mid adapted to laterally engage a container cleai. rest inglongitudinally on the link and against the forward face of the upperlink between said iron and upper web; and an upright bar secured on thelower box and engaging behind and Serving to position crate strips orbox side wall'planss lying transversely across the chain, flat on thecleats and engaging said iron.

18. In combination, means for positioning and conveying sets ofcontainer parts; laterally adjustable stapling units over the path ofsaid parts. each comprising as actuating means, and a staple forming anddriving mechanism actuated by the actuating means; means for feedingbinding wire under said units respectively, and fluid actuated meansadapted to travel with the wire and constructed to cut the binding wirebetween sets of container parts, and comprising laterally adjustablepairs of cutting knives.

19. In combination, means for positioning and conveying sets ofcontainer parts; stapling units over the path of said parts, eachcomprising as actuating means, and a staple forming and drivingmechanism actuated by the actuating means; a cam wheel adjustablyconnected with conveyor; a cut-off mechanism for cutting off the bindingwire after each set; said mechanism comprising a pivoted cross bar; anactuating cylinder provided with a slide valve having a stem; a leverpivoted to the stem; a pin on the cam wheel in position to engage saidlever after the stapling of one set of container parts is complete; amovable bar on said cross bar actuated by said cylinder; and cuttingknives adjustably mounted on said bars to receive the binding wirestherebetween.

20. In combination, means for positioning and conveying container parts;means feeding binding wire to the parts; a stapling unit over the pathof said parts and comprising an actuating means, and a staple drivingmechanism actuated by the actuating means for stapling the binding wireto the parts; a wheel for controlling the unit carrying a pin; a cut-offmechanism for cutting off the bound wire after each set of parts hasbeen stapled; said mechanism comprising a pivoted bar disposedtransverse to the path of said parts; an axially transverse actuatingcylinder mounted on said cross bar near the cam wheel and provided witha piston, piston rod and a slide valve having a valve stem; a leverpivoted to the piston and stem and having a cam face; a pin fast on thecam wheel in position to engage said face some time after the staplingof one set of box parts is complete; a movable bar mounted on said crossbar; pairs of cutting knives adjustably mounted on said bars in positionto receive the binding wires therebetween; said movable bar beingconnected to and actuated by said piston rod at such time, thereby tocut off the binding wires some distance from the last precedingcontainer parts and the next succeeding container parts, to allow plentyof end wire for securing the ends together.

21. A machine comprising spaced side frames; transverse drive and idlershafts respectively mounted in opposite ends of the frames; conveyorsprockets respectively fast and slidably keyed on said shafts; conveyorchains on said sprockets having long links; means to position containerparts on said chains; stapling units over said parts; tie boltsconnecting said frames; intermediate side frames respectively stationaryand slidable on said bolts and provided with upper trackwaysrespectively supporting upper courses of the chain; grooved hubs on theslidable sprockets; arms fast on the slidable frame and engaging in thegroove of the respective hubs; and means to shift the slidable frame.

22. In combination, spaced side frames; transverse drive and idlershafts respectively mounted in opposite ends of the frames; conveyorsprockets respectively fast and slidably keyed on said shafts; conveyorchains on said sprockets having long links; positioning means on certainof said links; tie bolts connecting said frames; intermediate sideframes respectively stationary and slidable on said bolts and providedwith upper trackways respectively supporting upper courses of the chain;grooved hubs on the slidable sprockets; arms fast on the slidable frameand engaging in the groove of the respective hubs; transverse threadedrods rotatably received in and connecting opposite ends of parts of saidintermediate frames and having threaded engagement with the slidableframe and held against longitudinal movement transverse to thestationary frame; a handle crank on one of the rods; sprockets fast onsaid rods near the stationary frame; and an endless chain on saidsprockets.

23. In combination, a frame; means thereon for positioning and conveyingcontainer parts; a gang of swingable stapling units adjustabletransverse to the path of said parts; pressure means for operating saidunits including control cylinders and valves therefor having inlet andexhaust ports; pressure and exhaust pipes disposed above said units;hose from said pipes respectively to the inlet and exhaust ports of thevarious units; a valve in and controlling the pressure pipe; a manualcontrol rod operating said valve and extending to the side of themachine.

24. In combination; means for positioning and conveying container parts;a support movable in the direction of the travel of said parts; and aswinging stapling unit on said support comprising an actuating means,and a staple driving mechanism for driving staples in said parts whenthe parts are moving, and movable with said moving parts means forcontrolling said mechanism including a lever movable on the axis of:swing of the unit; and means for tripping the ever.

25. In combination; actuating means including a reciprocatory drivemember having a shoulder; a casing having a bore and a cam groove in thebore; means to position a piece of staple-wire across a prolongation ofthe path of said member; a forming member mounted in said path below thestaple wire; a tubular bolt member within said bore coaxial with saidpath and having side portions disposed over said wire, on each side ofsaid path; a pawl pivoted on said bolt member and engageable under saidshoulder to interlock said bolt member to the drive member during thefirst part of the travel of the latter, and engageable with the lowerend of said cam groove for relieving the bolt member; means forwithdrawing the forming member after the staple is formed; and a hammeron said drive member to drive the staple.

26. In combination; actuating means including a reciprocatory drivemember; a casing having a bore; means to position a piece of staple-wireacross a prolongation of the path of said memher; a forming memberslidably mounted in said casing for movement in said path below thestaple wire; a roller mounted on the casing under the forming member; alink connecting the outer end of the forming member to the casing toguide said outer end; a tubular bolt member in said bore coaxial withsaid path and having side portions disposed over said wire, on each sideof said path; means to interlock said bolt member to the drive memberduring the first part'of the travel of the latter; means engageable withthe forming member for withdrawing the forming member after the stapleis formed; and a hammer on said rod to drive the staple.

2'7. In combination; means for positioning and conveying containerparts; a stapling unit over the path of said parts movable with saidparts; non-traveling means for guiding binding wire under the said unit;said guide means being free of connection with said unit, thereby toprevent the tension of the binding wire from interfering with themovement of the unit.

28; In combination; a stationary frame; means thereon for positioningand uniformly conveying container parts; a stapling unit over the pathof said parts movable in the direction of movement of said parts duringstapling; and a nontraveling rotary grooved roller carried on said framefor guiding binding wire under the said unit; said rollers being free ofconnection with said unit thereby to prevent the tension of the bindingwire on the roller from interfering with the movement of the unit.

29. In combination; a stationary frame; means thereon for positioningand uniformly conveying container parts; a gang of stapling unitsadjustable transverse to the path of said parts; supporting means forsaid gang movable in the di rection of movement of said parts duringstapling; a stationary tie rod across the frame near said units; andgrooved rollers adjustable on said tie rod for guiding binding wireunder the said units; said rollers and tie rod being free of connectionwith said supporting means, thereby to prevent the tension of thebinding wire frame interfering with the movement of the supportingmeans.

30. In combination; staple forming means; a pair of feed wheels adaptedto grasp and feed staple wire to said forming means; feed meansconnected with one of the wheels; and means preventing the overthrow ofthe feed means.

31. In combination; staple forming means including a casing and areciprocatory part; a pair of feed wheels adapted to grasp and feedstaple wire to said forming means; a ratchet connected with one of thewheels having ratchet teeth; a feed pawl means engaging said teeth andoperated by said reciprocatory part for feeding a length of staple wire;and a detent pawl normally engageable with the teeth for stopping theratchet, and engaged by said pawl means near its lower limit to lift thedetent pawl from the teeth.

32. In combination; staple forming means including a casing and areciprocatory part; a guide block to guide wire to said forming means; apair of peripherally grooved feed wheels, the feed-wheel grooves beingadapted to grasp and feed staple wire to said block; a ratchet fast withone of the wheels, said ratchet having teeth having advance andfollowing shoulders; a feed pawl engageable with said teeth; a levercarrying the pawl and operated by the upstroke of said reciprocatorypart for feeding a length of staple wire; a spring means for loweringsaid lever; and a detent pawl normally engageable with one of theadvance shoulders for stopping the ratchet, and engaged by said levernear its lower limit to lift the detent pawl from the ratchet.

33. In combination; parallel conveyor chains comprising flat links;upright webs over the inner edge of opposite links of the respective,chains, the upper face of the link being exposed for the insertion ofcleats on said face; upper slide blocks secured on said webs; a fixedweb adjacent to the outer edge of chain for cooperating with saidvertical webs to engage and position cleats resting on the links againstthe forward face of the upper block between said fixed and upright webs,thereby adapting the cleats to receive a container part lying transverseto the chains fiat on the cleats and against said fixed web; and anupright bar secured on the link for engaging a side edge of suchcontainer part.

34. In combination; parallel conveyor cha ns comprising fiat links;bodies disposed against the inside face of opposite links of therespective chains, each body having vertical and horizontal webs, theupper face of the link being exposed for the insertion of cleats; upperand lower slide blocks adjustably mounted on said webs respectively; afixed web adjacent to the outer edge of each chain for cooperating withsaid vertical webs to engage and position cleats resting on the linksagainst the forward face of the upper block between said fixed andvertical webs, thereby adapting the cleats to receive a container partlying transverse to the chains fiat on the cleats and against said fixedweb; and an upright bar secured on the lower block for engaging thefront edge of such container part.

35. In combination, parallel conveyor chains comprising fiat links;upright longitudinal webs on opposite links of the respective chains,remote from the outer edge of the link, the upper face of the link beingexposed for the insertion of cleats; upper blocks on said opposite linksrespectively; a fixed web higher than said upright Web adjacent to theouter edge of chain for coopcrating with said vertical webs to engageand. position cleats resting on the links against upper block, therebyadapting the cleats to receive a container part lying transverse to thechains flat; and means secured on the link for engaging a side edge ofsuch container part.

36. In combination; means for conveying sets of container parts; meansfor feeding binding wire to said parts; stapling units over the wire andthe path of said parts; an actuating device; a pivoted support; anactuating cylinder on said support provided with a piston and with acontrol means controlled by said device; and cutting knives actuated bysaid piston and mounted on said support to receive the binding wirestherebetween.

37. In combination; means for conveying sets of container parts; meansfor feeding binding wire to said parts; stapling units over the wire andthe path of said parts; a cam wheel connected with conveyor; a source ofpower controlled by the cam wheel; and cutting knives mounted on saidbars to receive the binding wires therebetween and actuated by saidpower.

FREDERICK P ROW.

